Tiltable form for preformed brick wall

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for producing variable width brick panel sections, having a planar table arranged to tilt from a horizontal to a vertical position, includes a removable frame, for resting on the planar table, including adjustable sides for predetermining the width of the panel to be built, and a tilt stand at one end of the table permits standing the unit vertically to discharge a finished panel. Spacers providing endwise and edgewise spacing of placed bricks on the planar table are readily removed prior to the addition of mortar trowelled into the spaces between the prepositioned brick.

United States Patent 1191 Dreher Aug. 6, 1974 [5 TILTABLE FORM FOR PREFORMED 2,416,559 2/1947 BRICK WALL 2,466,919 4/1949 2,477,320 7/1949 [76] Inventor: Edward J. Dreher, 5841 E. 67th 173 5 H1956 Ave, Commerce City, Colo. 80022 2,807,070 9/1957 3,255,991 6/l966 [22] Filed. Dec. 16, 1971 R1437! long [21] Appl. No.: 208,722 D l Primary ExaminerRobert Ba dwin Related Apphcatmn Data Assistant Examiner-John McQuade [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 5,774, Jan. 26, Attorney A t or Fi -Ri h d 11 L I970, Pat. No. 3,642,395.

[52] US. Cl 249/18, 249/83, 249/137, [57] P F 249/158 249/165 249/169 Apparatus for producing variable width brlck panel 511 Int. Cl. [204g 11/00 Sections having a Planar table arranged to from a [58] Field of Search 425/109 249/18 84 horizontal to a vertical position, includes a removable 249/137 15 16 163 frame, for resting on the planar table, including adjust- 6 1 i R able sides for predetermining the width of the panel to be built, and a tilt stand at one end of the table per- 56] References Cited mits standing the unit vertically to discharge a finished panel. Spacers providing endwise and edgewise spac- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing of placed bricks on the planar table are readily re- Smith X moved prior to the addition of mortar trowelled into 2x353 23$:

the spaces between the prepositioned brick. 1:968:18) 7/1934 Bartels 249/18 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures m'timmwssmn Y 3.827.666

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PAIENImmc sum SHEEI 2 0F 2 FIG. 3

TILTABLE FORIVI FOR PREFORMED BRICK WALL This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 5,774 filed Jan. 26, 1970 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,642,395 for PREFORMED WALL SECTION MOLDING APPARATUS.

Structures of ceramic materials, particularly brick construction, have been substantially reduced in quantity in recent years due, in part, to the high cost of labor of bricklayers. Furthermore, such high cost labor is further increased due to the fact that some bricklayers are limited in the number of bricks which they may lay in a day. Additionally, higher brick walls require rather substantial scaffolding for the workers and the material going into the wall, further increasing the cost of brick walls.

Prior art bricklaying machines and devices all have real disadvantages of one kind or another, which has reduced their use in building trades, particularly in commercial construction. Further, unions have either outlawed the use of bricklaying machines or have severally limited their use in all kinds of constructions.

In my previous application, above identified, a useful brick panel mold has been described. Further improvements of the mold include movable sides to form variable width panels, a tilt support frame and a removable form stay which permits easy removal of the bricks from the planar table and securely holds the bricks in panel position and in an upright stance for proper curing of the mortar between the bricks.

These and other improvements of the device of my copending application are so set forth herein.

Included among the objects and advantages of the present invention is to provide improved apparatus for producing preformed brick panels in a horizontal position and for movement of finished panels to a vertical position.

It is a further object to the invention to provide an easily tiltable table, having adjustable frame means for containing bricks for a preformed wall or a panel section, which frame means is retained around the wall or panel section during curing of the mortar and arranged to support such a section in vertical, free standing position during the curing.

An additional object to the invention is to provide spacing means for accurately spacing bricks in a horizontal mold for brick panel sections, which accurately spaces bricks on a planar table for forming a panel section when mortar is trowelled into the spaces between the bricks.

A still further object to the invention is to provide a tiltable form on which a frame for containing a brick panel section may be placed for containing brick and mortar during forming and releasing the frame therefrom to support a brick panel in upright position.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention may be readily ascertained by referring to the following description and appended illustrations in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of one form of the invention showing a tiltable planar table and a brick containing form thereon;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the upper end of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a broken, side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, tilted into upright position for discharge of a formed brick panel; and 1 FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the apparatus illustrating the use of spacer means for placing brick in the device according to the invention.

In the device illustrated in the drawings, a table, shown in general by numeral 8, having an upper planar surface 10 is provided with reinforcing beams, stringers or the like, for example, side beams 12 and end beams 14 for supporting the table in planar position. The table surface may be formed of metal or other waterproof material secured to the framing means by conventional fastening to provide a smooth, continuous surface 10. The table is supported on rear legs 16 mounted adjacent to each upper corner of the table, and rocker or tilt legs 18 mounted at the opposite end thereof. These support the table at a convenient workable height. The rocker legs include uprights which support the surface 10 in horizontal position in conjunction with the rear legs 18 and an arcuate section which permits the table to be tilted or rocked into upright position.

A brick supporting adjustableframe is arranged to rest on the surface 10 in the position to be easily releasable therefrom for removing a formed brick panel from the surface when the table is tilted to upright position. The frame includes an upper cross member 20 formed of flat stock of the length efficient to extend across the table 8 and of a height to extend slightly above bricks which may be placed on the surface 10. A lower angle member 22 is mounted on the opposite end of the table, and it may be arranged with the flange extending inwardly, as shown, or outwardly under other conditions. The upper end member 20 includes spaced slots 21 adjacent either end, or extending either completely across the stock 20 or a short distance from each end. Circular holes may be provided between the slots for placing reinforcing bars between the bricks where desirable. In a similar manner, the angle 22 includes slots 23 which extend through one web of the channel 22. Side frame bars 24 and 28 are mounted on opposite sides of the table to provide sides for a brick panel formed on the table. The side member 24 is formed of flat stock or T-stock, with the web extended outwardly, and it includes at each end, an apertured boss 25 of a narrower width than the width of the stock 24 and of a dimension to pass through the slots 21 and 23 on the end frame members. In a similar manner, the side member 28 includes at each end, an apertured boss 29 which, likewise, is arranged to extend through the slots 21 and 23. Each boss includes an aperture therethrough to permit entry of a pin (such as pin 30) to secure the side members to the end members of the frame.

The frame is' arranged to rest on the surface 10 without attachment thereto. The frame is held in position by a pair of straps 34 and 36 (FIG. 2) mounted on a cylindrical bar 38 secured in journals 40 and 42 which are mounted on the frame of the table. The straps 34 and 36 include upper slots 35 and 37 respectively, arranged to pass over the bosses 29 and 25 respectively of the side frame members. Pins 30 pass through the aperture in the boss and secure the upper cross member 20 and the removable frame to the straps 34 and 36 either in horizontal position or when tilting the table to upright position.

Apertures in the upper end of the table frame, hooks or eyes or the like may be formed on the table frame for attachment of an overhead line for lifting the upper end of the table frame, tilting the same on the rocker frame members 18. A small overhead crane or the like may be used to lift the table into upright position, or jacks, jack screws or the like may, also, be used to move the table frame into upright position.

A spacer element is used to position the bricks on the table between the side members of the frame, which are prepositioned to provide the width of the panel desired. The bosses on the end of the side members are placed in the slots in the end members for the width as desired, and the pins are placed through the apertures in the bosses to secure the frame in proper position. A spacer element which includes an elongated bar 50 with upper depending L-shaped support brackes 51 and 52 on opposite ends, arranged to seat on the side members 24 and 28, is arranged to be positioned against the latest row of bricks placed on the table. The width of the spacer member 50 corresponds to the space desired between each row of bricks. This elongated spacer then provides proper spacing between rows of brick. To provide endwise spacing between bricks in each row, a series of stub spacers depend normally from the elongated spacer, and these include spacers 54a through 54e. These stub spacers are positioned to accommodate the size of brick to be used in a wall and the thickness of the stub spacers corresponds to the desired thickness of the mortar between the bricks in each row. In using these spacers, with bricks on the table, it is normally preferable to use three or four such spacers leaving each spacer in position until after the third or fourth row is placed. Then for the next row, the first spacer is removed and placed in position against the last row of bricks on the table, thus retaining two or three spacers in position while additional bricks are being placed on the table. This helps maintain the bricks in proper spacing. It is possible, however, to use a single spacer, if care is taken not to push too hard against the spacer and thereby upset the spacing of the previously laid bricks.

in using the device of the invention, a table is placed in position where it may be tilted up to leave a brick panel near the position where it will be used. The side members are then positioned to provide the desired width of the finished brick panel. It is, of course, obvious that the rows may require a cut brick on either or both ends where an overlapping brick arrangement is desired. After the first layer of bricks is placed against a spacer, the next spacer is then moved against that layer of bricks and an additional row of bricks placed against that spacer. Where three spacers are used, the next spacer is then placed against that row and the next row of bricks is placed against it. The first spacer is then removed and placed against the last row of bricks placed, and this procedure is followed through the length of the table. When all the bricks are placed on the table, mortar is then poured onto the bricks and trowelled into the spaces between the bricks. After setting for a short curing time, the table is then tilted into upright position. Straps 34 and 36 are removed from the brick frame by pulling the pins 30 and releasing the straps from the bosses. The pins may then be placed back in the apertures in the bosses to secure the side members to the upper member 20. Once the straps are removed from the frame, the panel is braced and table is moved away from the frame with the panel which will stand until cured. The brick frame may be supported on blocks or the like abutting the angle 22 so that the bosses are not supporting the whole weight of the frame and the brick panel load. By using quick setting mortar, the frame may be removed in a few hours, but the mortar between the bricks is still soft enough to be worked to produce the desired type of joint, or the bricks may be moved back into position when moved out of position.

The side members of the frame are arranged to be moved inwardly and outwardly of the table to provide for a variable width brick panel. The straps at the upper end of the table are movable along the rod 38 for easily positioning the strap above the extending bosses. Other means may be used to secure the frame to the table, provided that the frame is easily removable once the preformed brick is secured therein and the table is moved into upright position.

I claim:

1. A form for preformed brick panels comprising:

a. planar table means,

b. support means for said table means supporting the same above a supporting surface in horizontal position including arcuate support means at one end for tilting said table means to vertical position by rotation about said arcuate support means,

0. frame means arranged to seat on the surface of said planar table means, said frame means including opposed end members and opposed fixed length side members arranged at selected positions with said end members providing a uniform length and variable widths therebetween,

d. means cooperative between said end and side members temporarily securing said end and said side members together at one of said selected width positions including a plurality of slots in said end members and depending ends on said side members arranged to extend through said slots, and

e. means at one end of said table means for temporarily securing one end of said frame means to said table means including lock members slidably disposed on said table means and including depending means engaging said depending ends of said side members, temporarily securing one end of said frame means to said table means.

2. A form according to claim 1 wherein said lock members are a pair of bars, each having a circular aperture therein, a shaft secured to said table means adjacent said one end, and said bars are rotatably and slidably mounted thereon.

3. A form according to claim 1 wherein said end member at the end adjacent said arcuate support means is an elongated angle member. 

1. A form for preformed brick panels comprising: a. planar table means, b. support means for said table means supporting the same above a supporting surface in horizontal position including arcuate support means at one end for tilting said table means to vertical position by rotation about said arcuate support means, c. frame means arranged to seat on the surface of said planar table means, said frame means including opposed end members and opposed fixed length side members arranged at selected positions with said end members providing a uniform length and variable widths therebetween, d. means cooperative between said end and side members temporarily securing said end and said side members together at one of said selected width positions including a plurality of slots in said end members and depending ends on said side members arranged to extend through said slots, and e. means at one end of said table means for temporarily securing one end of said frame means to said table means including lock members slidably disposed on said table means and including depending means engaging said depending ends of said side members, temporarily securing one end of said frame means to said table means.
 2. A form according to claim 1 wherein said lock members are a pair of bars, each having a circular aperture therein, a shaft secured to said table means adjacent said one end, and said bars are rotatably and slidably mounted thereon.
 3. A form according to claim 1 wherein said end member at the end adjacent said arcuate support means is an elongated angle member. 